Pilsner Urquell Homebrew Contest

[pjj2ba]

I'm in. My wife's sister lives in NYC so we'll just plan our vacation around this.

I mean, man, 1 in 50 odds. Then you figure a bunch of the really good lager homebrewers won't be able to show up in person so I'm sure some spots will go to those who might not have ever brewed a lager. That would mean the odds are *probably* even better. It will probably come down to luck to have the right beer in front of the right judge.

So I'd have to pay taxes on it. It would still be cheaper and you'd be getting some VIP treatment (brewery tour, bartender comp) that you wouldn't get otherwise.

I just kegged a Czech pils. I'll taste it next week and then come up with 2 more versions to be ready in time. I have a Czech friend to act as a personal taster. She loved last years version.

 

[Rhoobarb]

I'm in. I will beat you Drawtap88! lol

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

I aggre pj, 49:1 against for an $8K package with a 'free' entry seems like a decent shot. I've got a Boh Pils that's just waiting for a spot in the keezer to open up and I'll brew at least one more.

I just brewed an Imperial Pils yesterday using Bohemian Lager yeast. If had known about this beforehand...

Prague is a place I've really wanted to visit so I had to at least give it a shot.

 

[chicagobrew]

Spots are apparently still available in Chicago because I reserved this morning and just got confirmation that I'm in. Unfortunately, I'm not eligible and had to withdraw.

 

[Lilrascal]

I mean, man, 1 in 50 odds. Then you figure a bunch of the really good lager homebrewers won't be able to show up in person so I'm sure some spots will go to those who might not have ever brewed a lager. That would mean the odds are *probably* even better. It will probably come down to luck to have the right beer in front of the right judge.

Well I just got in for the Chicago contest. I will be one of those who may increase your odds, since I am pretty new to brewing, and have only done ales so far. I am hoping for beginners luck. Don't have much time to get many practice batches in!!

I interpreted it as 1 :150 odds, or are they giving a trip away in each city?

 

[Oldsock]

I interpreted it as 1 :150 odds, or are they giving a trip away in each city?

I believe it is one per city.

I got my confirmation this afternoon.

 

[Lilrascal]

"Three winners have the chance to earn trips for two"

Just reread the news release. Looks like it is 1:50 chance. Looks like there will be a lot of entries from HBT. Would be awesome if one or couple people from here won!!

 

[Ace_Club]

Just sent in my request for Chicago. Hoping that there are still some slots open...

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

I guess I should buy some PU and actually taste it...for the first time. As if the stuff I'll get here in Florida even compares to the fresh stuff.

The fresh stuff isn't skunked is it? I have a feeling anything I get here will be.

 

[Mischief_Brewing]

I guess I should buy some PU and actually taste it...for the first time. As if the stuff I'll get here in Florida even compares to the fresh stuff.

The fresh stuff isn't skunked is it? I have a feeling anything I get here will be.

After drinking PU in Slovakia (just south of where it's made) a few summers back, I can certainly attest that what we get here doesn't taste nearly as good. Although I was a much bigger fan of Zlaty Bazant...

 

[Catt22]

I guess I should buy some PU and actually taste it...for the first time. As if the stuff I'll get here in Florida even compares to the fresh stuff.

The fresh stuff isn't skunked is it? I have a feeling anything I get here will be.

It's very difficult to find fresh, non-skunked PU. Your best shot would be to find it on tap somewhere with a reasonable turnover. The keg certainly won't be skunked and if the bar is buying it by the keg they must be moving it as well.

When PU is fresh it is awesome.

 

[redsox1]

if you happen to be at the beer store as the owner is unpacking six packs from newly delivered cases, then you stand to get a decent taste of something good. i spent three weeks in prague last fall, got to tour the P.U brewery in Pilzen and it was like divine intervention.

 

[lowlife]

I had it on a cruise fresh. It was pretty good.

 

[michaeltrego]

The best and freshest I've had on tap was in 2002 at Frankie's Bohemian Cafe in San Francisco. I was looking for dinner before a Lucinda Williams show at the Fillmore, and sought out the closest beer joint. Frankie's is a little hole in the wall with fantastic character, good Czech food and gigantic mugs of authentic brew. That was a great night.

 

[Lilrascal]

I think the hard part for me will be "Artistic Impression". The words "Accuracy to style" and "Artistic Impression" seem to have opposite meanings. At least in my non-artistic mind.

 

[Mischief_Brewing]

I think the hard part for me will be "Artistic Impression". The words "Accuracy to style" and "Artistic Impression" seem to have opposite meanings. At least in my non-artistic mind.

That's exactly what I was thinking. I'm going to brew up a couple of 2.5 gallon test batches and 2 full scale. Only one will be going 100% toward style, the others will be my personal variations that skirt the style guidelines but will make it more to what I like. Who knows which I'll bring to the actual judging...

 

[Ace_Club]

And I'm in for the Chicago contest. This will be my first ever Pilsner. Better get working on finishing my fermentation chamber.

 

[michaeltrego]

Here are some classic Michael Jackson Beer Hunter videos to get your creative juices flowing. The Urquell portion starts about 2 min. into the second part.

 

[chicagobrew]

If you really want to taste PU you need to go to Prague where there are a couple pubs that sell it unpasteurized (I think they call it Tankovna). It's amazing and unlike the pasteurized version you get everywhere else.

 

[pjj2ba]

If you really want to taste PU you need to go to Prague where there are a couple pubs that sell it unpasteurized (I think they call it Tankovna). It's amazing and unlike the pasteurized version you get everywhere else.

I had a lager in Belgium that I think must also have been unpastureized. It was from Maes, which is a bigger brewery. This beer was a little cloudy and had a fruity note to it. I double checked to confirm it was in fact a Maes Pilsner because it was so different from the bottled stuff. I've got a clone attempt going right now. I'm seriously tempted to do a natural carbonation and add a poor flocculating yeast when I keg it. I'll have to pull a taste and see. This was my first time using White labs new Belgian Lager strain. I might just leave it with that.

 

[Oldsock]

Pilsner Urquell Kvasnicový: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/pilsner-urquell-kvasnicovy-yeast-beer/44956/

"Only available at Na Parkanu in Plzen and on the brewery tour. Pilsner Urquell with yeast and wort added."

More info: http://www.whitebeertravels.co.uk/prague.html

 

[pjj2ba]

I'm thinking more and more that this is what I had in Belgium. A "Real Lager". My searching on the web has not proved fruitful to find out if such a thing exists from the Maes brewery. It was a phenomenal pairing with mussels and frites.

 

[Mischief_Brewing]

My yeast came in last night. Looks like I'll be brewing on Sunday! I'm going to do two starter batches (2.5 gallons) as test batches/starters for the yeast. Just hoping it doesn't cut the time for the full-scale batches too short.

 

[bluesman88]

I just got the word today that I'm in for NYC. Guess I need to make a big starter right away.

 

[pjj2ba]

Ya know, since a bunch of us will be heading to either NYC, DC, or Chicago, we should make sure that we all meet one another in our respective cities. We can wait to plan this more when we have a better idea of what will be happening on the contest dates.

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

Sounds good to me.

Will the NYC group be enjoying superior pizza than the Chicago group? <ducks and runs>

Finally kicked a keg and can tap that Boh Pils I made back in December tonight.

 

[Mischief_Brewing]

Ya know, since a bunch of us will be heading to either NYC, DC, or Chicago, we should make sure that we all meet one another in our respective cities. We can wait to plan this more when we have a better idea of what will be happening on the contest dates.

Depending upon where it's held, I say we pre-party at one of the many great craft beer bars in the city (NYC obviously )

 

[DrawTap88]

Will the NYC group be enjoying superior pizza than the Chicago group? <ducks and runs>

No. But we can discuss that in Prague.

 

[michaeltrego]

Depending upon where it's held, I say we pre-party at one of the many great craft beer bars in the city (NYC obviously )

Count me in. Gingerman, Blind Tiger, mmmm.

 

[Mischief_Brewing]

Count me in. Gingerman, Blind Tiger, mmmm.

Going to Blind Tiger for lunch tomorrow

Rattle n hum is on that list as well. Might have to do both gingerman and rattle n hum if the venue is midtown...